By Tony Wilmott & Dan Garner
Hardback, 496 pages, Published by Oxbow Books, ISBN:9781785707445
Details:
This is the first of two volumes dealing with the major research excavations on the Chester Amphitheatre in 2004–2006. The amphitheatre was discovered in 1929 and partially excavated in the 1970s, after which the northern half was laid out as a public monument. Subsequent questions about the future of the site and the original interpretation prompted the recent work which was part funded by English Heritage and the (then) Chester City Council. The first amphitheatre was built in the 70s AD. It had a stone outer wall with external stairs and timber framed seating, the structure of which can be reconstructed. The second amphitheatre was built concentrically around the first, sealing deposits relating to the behaviour of spectators and the economy of spectacles in the first building. Amphitheatre 2, probably built in the later second century, was the largest and most impressive amphitheatre in Britain, featuring elaborate entrances, internal stairs and decorative pilasters on the outer wall. Although heavily robbed, sufficient survives to enable a confident architectural reconstruction to be proposed. Arena furniture hints at the type of spectacles that took place here. Beneath the seating banks of the amphitheatres evidence for prehistoric settlement was recovered – the first substantial prehistoric archaeology to be found in Chester. Occupation began with a Mesolithic phase, followed by a Middle Iron Age agricultural settlement and finally Late Iron Age cord-rig ploughing. This fully integrated volume tells the story of the site from the Mesolithic to the end of the life of the amphitheatre. It contains full stratigraphic and structural detail, including CGI reconstruction of Amphitheatre 2, artefactual and ecofactual evidence, and takes account of the findings of all excavations on the site since 1929. A second volume will deal with the robbing and reuse of the amphitheatre in the post Roman period, and the development of the medieval and post-medieval urban landscape of the site.

The Chartered Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA) has published important new guidance entitled “A Review of the Standard of Reporting on Archaeological Artefacts in England – 24 July 2017”
Click here for more information

The Clwydian Range Archaeological Group (CRAG) will start excavations at Moel Arthur on Saturday 22nd July 2017.
CRAG will be holding two Open Days at Loggerheads Country Park on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th July to encourage people to visit the site, or join them as excavators.
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Chester Heritage Festival runs from Wednesday 19th July to Tuesday 25th July. There are events for all the family: walks, talks, music, exhibitions and more.
Click here for the full programme of events
Please note that many events must be booked in advance by calling 01244 972210

As part of the Chester Heritage Festival Peter Carrington will be leading guided tours of the Amphitheatre and Roman Gardens on Thursday 20th July and Saturday 22nd July 2017.
The tour lasts 2 hours starting at 10:30am and is repeated at 2:30, meet at the Amphitheatre entrance nearest to Souters Lane. It is essential to book this free event in advance by calling 01244 972210
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A chance to get involved in an exciting new pilot heritage experience in Chester. Chester Castle will be opening its doors to the public this summer from 20th July until 3rd September.
Cheshire West and Chester Council are looking for volunteers aged 18+ to engage with visitors and to enhance their experience.
Click here for further details.